JDS The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship

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Ghana

2024/09/20

NEWS

Online application starts from 16th October to 6th November.

2024/09/01

NEWS

Applications for the JDS Scholarship (Intake 2025) will open soon.

Online Application System
https://admissions-office.net/en/applicant/university_recruitments/8769

TAO Online Application Manual
For Applicants

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship(JDS) in Ghana 2025

About JDS Project

Are You Interested in Studying in Japan?
Here We Offer a Great Program for You!

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) is designed to foster exceptional human resources capable of working to resolve various development challenges in the recipient countries in the future by imparting advanced expertise to JDS Fellows through studying at Japanese universities.

JDS contributes to strengthen the partnership between Japan and the recipient country by graduating a wide range of Fellows who have deep understanding about Japan. This scholarship funded by the Government of Japan, is now accepting applications from government sector workers who wish to obtain a Master’s degree from Japanese Universities, starting from the 2025 academic year.

The courses will be taught in English and will take two years for Fellows enrolled as Master’s students. The total number of participants from Ghana will be 12 Master’s students per year.


Follow -up Seminar Schedule

Date Day Time Organization Venue Place
24/09/2024 Tue 9:30am-10:30am Ministry of Roads and Highway MRH Conference Room Accra
11:00am-12:00pm MOGCSP MOGCSP Conference Room
1:30pm-2:30pm Ministry of Food and Agriculture PPMED Conference room, MOFA Accra
3:00pm-4:00pm Ministry of Interior Ministry of Interior Conference room, Accra
25/09/2024 Wed 9:30am-10:30am Local Government Service OHLGS Conference Room
11:00am-12:00pm OHCS, GIS, NDPC,GIPC OHCS Conference Room
1:00pm-2:00pm Ministry of Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development MLGDRD Conference Room
3:00pm-4:00pm Ministry of Land and Natural Resource MLNR Conference Room
26/09/2024 Thu 9:30am-10:30am MOF/GRA MOF Conference Room
1:30pm-2:30pm MoTI MoTI Conference Room
27/09/2024 Fri 9:30am-10:30am Office of the President Office of the President Conference Room
11:00am-12:00pm Ministry of Justice MOJ Conference Room
1:30pm-2:30pm MOH MOH Conference Room
30/09/2024 Mon 10:00am-11:00am Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation MOCD Conference Room
1:00pm-2:00pm Ministry of Energy MoEn Conference Room
2:30pm-3:30pm MESTI MESTI Conference Room
03/10/2024 Thu 9:30am-10:30am GRA GRA Conference Room Techiman
11:00am-12:00pm MoTI MoTI Conference Room
1:30pm – 2:30pm GHS Techiman Polyclinic
04/10/2024 Fri 9:30am-10:30am GRA GRA Conference Room Sunyani
11:00am-12:00pm MoTI MoTI Conference Room
1:30pm-2:30pm GHS Sunyani Regional Hospital
4:00pm-5:00pm BOG BOG Conference Room
07/10/2024 Mon 10:00am-10:30am GRA GRA Conference Room Cape Coast
11:00am-12:00pm MoTI MoTI Conference Room
1:30pm-2:30pm GHS Trauma & Specialist Hospital/ Central Regional Hospital Winneba
10/10/2024 Thu 1:30pm-2:30pm GHS Health Promotion Division Conference room, Korle-Bu Accra
3:30pm-4:30pm BOG BOG Conference Room

Eligibility

Who is Eligible?

  1. Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of Ghana.
  2. Age: Up to 41 years old as of 1st April, 2025.
  3. Academic background: Bachelor’s Degree or above
  4. Working Experience:
    • at least 3 years of work experience as a full-time public servant.
    • at least 4 years of work experience as a full-time staff before departure for Japan for civil servants and LGS.
    • at least 4 years of work experience as a full-time staff before the deadline for submission of application for Bank of Ghana and GRA.
    • at least 4 years of work experience as a full-time staff after receiving Bachelor’s degree before departure for Japan for Ghana Health Service.
  5. Target Organizations: MOF, BOG, GRA, NDPC, GSS, MFARI, MoTI, GIPC, MLGDRD, OHCS, LGS, MRH, MOJ, MOCD, Ministry of National Security, MESTI, MOH, MINTER, GHS, MOFA, MOEn, MoGCSP, MLNR, GIS, Office of the President
  6. Applicants must have strong willingness to work for the development of Ghana on their return home.
  7. Applicants must be in good health both mentally and physically.
  8. Applicants must be sufficiently proficient in English to study in Japan.

Who is ineligible?

  1. Persons who are currently receiving, planning to receive or who have previously acquired a master’s degree after studying abroad on a scholarship awarded through other foreign assistance are ineligible.

Fields of study, target organizations and corresponding graduate schools

Sub-Program
(Target Priority Area)
Component
(Development Issues)		 Corresponding Universities
1.
Improvement of administrative capacities and institutional development
1-1.
Support for strengthening capacities for administering economic policies and public financial management for Economist

Target Organizations

  • Ministry of Finance(MOF)
  • Bank of Ghana（BOG)
  • GRA
Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies (GSICS),
KOBE UNIVERSITY

Website

http://www.gsics.kobe-u.ac.jp/index.html

Presumed Research Fields

  • Public finance
  • Economic policy
  • Trade policy
  • Investment policy
  • Public & private debt
  • SMEs
  • Privatization and private sector development
  • Financial development
  • Monetary policy

Obtainable Degree

  • Master in Economics
1-2.
Support for strengthening capacities for administering economic policies and public financial management for Finance Administrator

Target Organizations

All target organizations of:
Component 1-1
Component 1-4
Component 2-1

  • Office of the President
  • National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)
  • Ghana Statistical Service (GSS)
  • Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC)
  • OHCS
  • Local Government Service (LGS)
  • Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
  • Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI)
  • Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH)
  • Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation Ghana (MOCD)
  • Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR)
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI)
  • Ministry of Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGRD)
  • Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI)
  • Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP)
  • Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA)
  • Ministry of Energy (MOEn)
Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR), International Development Program (IDP) INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JAPAN

Website

https://www.iuj.ac.jp/

Presumed Research Fields

  • Public financial management
  • Debt management
  • Economic policy
  • Analysis of Development Policies and Programs
  • Development Economics
  • International Finance
  • International Trade
  • Monetary Policy in Developing Countries
  • Policy Evaluation
  • Public Finance
  • Public Finance and Budgeting

Obtainable Degree

  • Master of Arts in Economics or International Development
1-3.
Support for strengthening capacities for public administration

Target Organizations

All target organizations of:
Component 1-1
Component 1-2
Component 1-4
Component 2-1
Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR), Global International Relations Program
RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY

Website

http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/

Presumed Research Fields

  • Public policy
  • Public administration
  • International Relations
  • Economic and Industrial Development
  • International Finance
  • International Development Finance, and Macroeconomic Development Studies
  • International Economics
  • Energy Development and Environmental Issues
  • Socioeconomic Development and Public Policy
  • Agricultural and Rural Development

Obtainable Degree

  • Master of Arts in International Relations
1-4.
Support for strengthening capacities for international relations (including international law and diplomacy)

Target Organizations

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI)
  • Office of the President
  • Ministry of Finance (MOF)
  • Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI)
  • Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
  • Ministry of National Security
  • Ministry of Interior (MINTER)
  • National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)
  • Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC)
  • Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
  • Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences / Public Policy and Social Research Program / Politics and International Studies
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Website

https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/

Presumed Research Fields

  • International relations
  • International law
  • Diplomacy
  • Trade policy
  • Investment policy

Obtainable Degree

  • Master of Arts in Public
  • Master of Arts in International Relations
2.
Revitalization of rural areas
2-1.
Improvement of basic living environment (support for strengthening capacities for implementing health policy)

Target Organizations

  • Ministry of Health (MOH)
  • Ghana Health Service (GHS)
School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH),
NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY

Website

http://www.tmgh.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/?lang=en

Presumed Research Fields

  • Maternal and child health
  • Community health
  • Formulation, monitoring and evaluation of health policies

Obtainable Degree

  • Master of Public Health

Selection Process

2024 6th November Application deadline
13th November Math examination (Kobe University, IUJ, Nagasaki University)
November &
December		 English Examination (ICU)
2025 Mid. January Initial Selection (Screening of Application Documents) by graduate school faculties
February Second Selection (interview) by graduate school faculties
Health Check-up
March Third selection (interview) by the JDS operating committee members
Announcement of the final successful candidates
July – August Pre-departure orientation in Accra and departure for Japan
August Post-arrival orientation in Tokyo
September – October Enrolment at Graduate School in Japan

List of universities

Sub-Program
(Target Priority Area)		 Component (Development Issues) /
Corresponding Universities
Improvement of administrative capacities and institutional development
Support for strengthening capacities for administering economic policies and public financial management for Economist

KOBE UNIVERSITY PDF
Support for strengthening capacities for administering economic policies and public financial management for Finance Administrator

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JAPAN PDF
Support for strengthening capacities for public administration

RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY PDF
Support for strengthening capacities for public administration

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY PDF
Revitalization of rural areas
Improvement of basic living environment (support for strengthening capacities for implementing health policy)

NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY PDF

How to Apply

  • Access the online application system from the JDS Ghana Official Website (https://scholarship.jds21.com/) and submit the application documents online before 0:00 am 7th November 2024. Application starts from 16th Oct 2024.
     
  • Please refer to the Application Guidelines during completion and ensure submission of a full set of application documents.
     
  • Send Prescribed Form 1 to the HR Director as a Referee. The Referee must send it directly to the JDS Office (ghana.jds@gmail.com) via email or give it to the applicant in a signed and sealed envelope with the organisational stamp. Prescribed Form 1 sent by the applicant via email will NOT be accepted.
     
  • Submit hard copies of the following documents to the JDS Ghana Project Office one week after the deadline of applications. You may send them by bus transport/courier. (Kobe U, IUJ, Ritsumeikan U, ICU.)
    • *Certified copy of your degree certificates (bachelor and above) *A certified copy which is duly certified by your university or the Commissioner of Oaths.
    • Original or certified copy of your transcripts (bachelor and above)

The application deadline is 6th November(Wed), 2024.

Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and/or incomplete application documents will NOT be accepted.

A. Application Guidelines

  1. Application Guidelines download: Word PDF

B. Application Documents

No Documents Remarks
1 Application Form for Master Level
with a photo
  • You are required to type in the information as requested
Research Plan (Item 7)
  • Type in the space provided a brief proposal outlining your research plan (no more than 700 words).
  • Optionally, you can upload a pdf file with no more than 700 words, 3 pages maximum.
2 Confidential Statement of Reference for Master Level (Prescribed Form 1)

  • To be completed by the Director, Human Resource.
  • The Referee must send it directly to the JDS Office
    (ghana.jds@gmail.com) via email or give it to the applicant in a signed and sealed envelope with the organisational stamp
3 Bachelor / Certificate of Degree A certified copy which is duly certified by your university or the Commissioner of Oaths.
4 Official Transcript (University-level) A certified copy which is duly certified by your university or the Commissioner of Oaths or the original of the official transcript from your university.
5 Identification Document (ID) Upload a copy of valid Passport or National ID issued by the National Identification Authority for Ghanaians if you don’t have a passport.
6 Proof of English Language Skill of JDS Scholarship Applicants, or Certificate of English Proficiency from University (For Kobe U., Ritsumeikan U.) (Prescribed Form 4)

  • To be completed by officials from your organization which you work for. ie.to be filled by a superior from your organization and stamped with the official seal.
  • You do not need to submit Prescribed Form 4 if you hold a Bachelor’s degree from a university in the US, Canada, UK, or Australia; or (2) if you submit a Colour-Photocopy of your English language test score (TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS) undertaken within the past two years.
7 English Language Test Score (If you have any) (For ICU) Upload an original copy of your English language test score (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS). Test results shouldn’t be more than two years. (as of April next year).
8 Certificate of English Proficiency from University or test score (TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS) (For Nagasaki U.)
  • If you do not have any, you would be required to take the IELTS if you successfully pass the first selection.
  • Test results shouldn’t be more than two years. (as of April, next year).
9 Appointment Letter
  • Upload a copy of your appointment letter

Download Documents

  1. Reference form from your HR director　(Prescribed Form 1)
    download : Word PDF
     
  2. Proof of your English language skill　(Prescribed Form 4) (For Kobe U. and Ritsumeikan U.)
    download : Word PDF

☆Please access the Online application portal from the JDS Ghana Official Website.

How to Prepare Your Research Plan

How to write good research plan

Before you begin writing your research plan, you are advised to carefully review the ‘Graduate School Information‘ section to make sure that the graduate school of your choice offers an appropriate curriculum and has faculty members relevant to your research plan. You can obtain more information by visiting the websites of individual graduate schools or by visiting the JDS Project Office.

NOTE: Your research plan should be consistent with one of the aforementioned ‘Sub-Program’ (Target Priority Area) and ‘Component’ (development issues), should be a program offered by the graduate school of your application and correspond to the overall objectives of the organization to which you belong. For more information, please refer to the Application Guidelines.

Please make sure to include all the points below:

  1. Research Purpose/objective (describe what you aim at in your research: e.g. what you want to identify or prove any in the research)
  2. Problem Statement (state the critical/problematic situation you are concerned about from global and national perspectives, referring to relevant statistics or general information)
  3. Research Question/s (describe the questions, as well as sub-questions in order to achieve the research purpose)
  4. Possible Methodology to Address the Question/s (describe what kinds of methods you will apply for your research: either qualitative or quantitative research methods – qualitative methods: who will be possible respondents, how to collect primary data, how to analyse the data collected, etc. – quantitative methods: what data set will be used, how to analyse it, etc.)
  5. Reference: To prove that your problem statement is not based on your own subjective view/opinion, but general/objective fact which has been statistically proved, or
    stated in the past publication, you must use existing data or someone else’s idea. In that occasion, you have to state the source of data and information.
  • The research plan must be typed and should be no more than 700 words [PDF: Maximum 3 (three) pages.] (Reference not included)

(You may add a very short, less than 300 words, alternative research proposal if you are not quite sure of the kind of research you may undertake for your Master’s thesis.)

How to Prepare for Math Exam

(Kobe University, IUJ and Nagasaki University)
Math Examination Date: 13th November (Wed), 2024

The duration of the math examination is approximately 60 minutes and consists of basic math: arithmetic operations, solving fractions, equations, inequalities, matrixes, basic quadratic functions, basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, basic integral and differentiation, etc.

Exam scores will be used for reference purposes during initial selection by the accepting universities. Please prepare yourself for the exams!

Math past question

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you need further information or wish to make an inquiry, please contact our JDS Project Office in Ghana (Tel: 059-651-7785 / 020-926-5121).

  • Qualifications

    Q. Who is eligible to apply to JDS Program?
    A. Regarding the eligibility, please refer to page 9 of Application Guidelines.
    Q. Do I need to take English and Math examinations?
    A. Math exam is required for applicants for Kobe, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kyushu University. On the other hand, applicants for Nagoya, Nagasaki and Kyushu University are obliged to take English exam. If you have taken an IELTS within the last 2 years and can submit the official copy of your score record, you do not need to take it again. However, there is no exception for the math exam. The problems in the math exam will be those you have learned at junior-high and high schools.
    Q. How about GPA score?
    A. We do not have any borderline for GPA score.
    Q. I am a Master’s Degree holder. Can I apply?
    A. Yes, you may apply except the case you obtained your Master’s degree funded through other foreign assistance.
    Q. I have received a scholarship from another country. Can I apply to JDS?
    A. No. If you have ever received (or planning to receive) another scholarship through other foreign assistance, you are NOT eligible to apply. Likewise, if you have already had your master’s degree, sponsored through other foreign assistance, you are also NOT eligible to apply.
    Q. I don’t speak Japanese. Can I apply to JDS?
    A. Yes, you can. In the Japanese Universities selected for JDS Program, all courses are taught in English.
    Q. Does JDS Program fund me for PhD course as well?
    A. ’Yes, there’s 1 slot available each year for JDS Program alumni. Contact JDS Project office for details.

  • Applications

    Q. I graduated from 2 universities, which university degree should I submit?
    A. You should submit the certified copies of the Degrees from both universities in that case.
    Q. My University does not give my official transcript directly to me. What should I do?
    A. Please ask your university to send the transcript directly to our JDS Office. You also need to let us know that the transcript will be sent to our JDS Office later on.
    Q. How do I prepare the research plan?
    A. Please carefully read the instructions written in the Guidelines as well as the instructions written in the Form of a Research Plan. JDS staff members will also guide you on how to prepare the research plan upon your request.
    Q. I only have diploma. Am I eligible to apply?
    A. No. You must possess at least a university degree in order to apply.
    Q. How do I know if I passed the process of document screening or not? Can I call JDS Office and ask?
    A. All applicants who passed or did not pass the screening will be informed by JDS Office. Any inquiries for the result of the selection by applicants are NOT allowed.
    Q. Can I have my application documents back if I do not pass the selection?
    A. No. all application documents will not be returned.
    Q. I am planning to apply for another scholarship. Can I apply for both scholarships?
    A. No. This is grant aid’s scholarship. You can’t apply for several scholarships. You have to choose one scholarship only.

  • Life in Japan

    Q. If I were selected for JDS Scholarship Program, what allowance will I receive?
    A. As to the allowance you will receive in Japan, please refer to page 13 of Application Guidelines.
    Q. Is it okay to bring my dependents and stay with them in Japan?
    A. Yes, you can stay with your dependents (spouse/children) in Japan, but only after 3 months from your arrival in Japan unless your university prohibits you from doing so. All the procedures required you to do for your dependents’ stay in Japan shall be carried out by yourselves. JDS Program will not cover the cost necessary for your families: e.g. travel insurance, air ticket, living cost, and VISA. Your Family will be taken care of under your responsibility.
    Q. Can I work in Japan?
    A. No, you are not allowed to have any job or work for a living. However, the teaching or research assistantship which is provided by your Accepting University is exceptional.
    Q. Can I drive automobiles in Japan?
    A. No. You are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles unless there is any special reason which was permitted by the JDS Operation Committee.
    Q. Can I stay in Japan after the completion of Master’s program in order to continue my education or be employed in Japan?
    A. No, you cannot. You MUST return to Ghana after obtaining Master’s degree through JDS Scholarship Program.
    Q. Can I come back to Ghana or travel overseas for short-term while I am staying in Japan?
    A. Yes, you may come back to Ghana at your own expense and must ensure that it doesn’t impact your academic work negatively. If you travel overseas for any reason other than thesis research purpose, your scholarship will be suspended from the day of departure from Japan until the day of return in case of private travel. The scholarship will be paid up to 60 days in the case of the thesis research.
    Q. Please tell me about university support system.
    A. It depends on the university which you enroll. Normally, teaching assistant/s and tutor/s will support your studies and academic life.

Contact

JDS Project Office in Ghana

Address: Room 4 & 5, Ground Floor, Annex Building, at Office of the Head of Civil Service, Accra

Tel: 059-651-7785 / 020-926-5121

Email: ghana.jds@gmail.com

Office Hours: Mon to Fri 9:00 to 12:00, 13:00 to 17:00

Website: https://scholarship.jds21.com/ghana